Vehicle-axle.



N0. 639,!78. Patented Dec. l2, I899. H. L. MADDOX.

VEHICLE AXLE.

(Application filed Apr. 7, 1899.) (No Model.)

rrn STATES PATENT FFICE.

HERMAN L. MADDOX, OF ASBURY PARK, NElV JERSEY.

VEHICLE-AXLE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 639,178, dated December 12, 1899.

Application filed April 7, 1899. Serial No. 712,078. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN L. MADDOX, a citizen of the United States, residing at Asbury Park, in the county of Monmouth and invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in vehicle-axles.

The object of this invention is to construct an axle of which the journals or spindles are in duplicate, reversible, and interchangeable.

A further object of the invention is to construct an axle having reversible and interchangeable spindles or journals to provide against wear and tear of said spindles or journals and the total impair of the vehicle on account of breakage of the exposed portion of the axle or spindle.

Another object of the invention is to construct a reversible spindle in which the portion of the same which is not in use will be entirely inclosed, thereby protecting the same from dust and dirt.

A still further object of the invention is to construct a reversible spindle which may be moved within its journal so that all parts of the same may be worn equally, as it is a wellknown fact that the wear upon vehicle-spindles is always upon the under side of the same.

Briefly described, my invention consists of a tubular axletree having at each end an internal removable hollow fitting and having secured on its ends a collar which receives a specially-formed not by which the reversible 1 spindle is held in position, the latter consisting of two conical-shaped spindles connected together and separated by a central enlargespindle, taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a like view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the internal removable fitting secured in the end of the axletree.

Referring now to the drawings by referencenumerals, 1 indicates the tubular axletree, which at each of its ends is provided with exterior screw-threads 2, adapted to receive the interior screw-threads onthe sleeve portion 3 of the collar l, which engages each end of the axletree. This collar l is also provided with exterior screw-threads and abuts against the end of the axletree, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. It is further provided with a central opening to receive one portion of the reversible spindle, as will be hereinafter specifically described. Engaging this collar 4 is a securing-nut 5, which while serving to hold the reversible spindle in position also acts as a jam-nut for the hub of the vehicle.

My improved spindle consists of two equal parts 6, both slightly conical in form and each having the screw-threaded reduced outer end '7 to receive the nut 8, which secures the wheel in position upon the spindle. this construction a double or two independent spindles connected together are provided, and they are separated by a centrally-arranged collar 9, the one face of which when the spindle is in position in the axletree abuts against the outer face of the collar at and the other face of which is engaged by the securing and jam nut 5.

For the purpose of holding the spindle steadily in its positionthat is, the one-half of same which is within the axletree-I provide an internal removable fitting or sleeve 10 within each end of the axletree. This fitting or sleeve is provided with a central conical-shaped opening to receive the one part of the spindle and is preferably composed of wood or a soft metal, being held in position by a set-screw l1, engaging through the sleeve portion of the collar 4 through the eXteriorlyscrew-threaded ends of the axletrees, with its end impinging upon the internal sleeve or fitting. I provide the same form of nut 8 for engaging the screw-threaded end of this portion of the spindle which is within the axletree, and in case the outer nut should be come lost the internal fitting or sleeve may be removed and the nut engaging the inner end of the spindle employed for holding the Wheel in position, as this nut is not essential for the holding of the spindle within the fitting and axletree.

I preferably place a washer 12 against the securing-11 ut 5 and also interpose a washer 14 upon the screw-threaded end of the spindle, though these are minor features of construction.

The screw-threads on the ends of the spindles and the interior screw-threads on the sleeve portion of the collar 4: are preferably made left-hand screws, so that in the forward movement of the vehicle the tendency would be rather to tighten than to loosen the connections. If, however, in any particular construction right-hand screws should be preferred or necessary, a key could be employed for preventing the unscrewing of the parts. The set-screw by which the internal fitting or sleeve is held in position also serves to hold the collars 4 rigidly in position upon the axletree.

To place the spindle in position, one end of each is placed within the tubular fitting or internal sleeve and the securing or jam nut then placed in position upon the collar 4, which firmly holds the spindle in position.

The interchangeable nut 8 will of course have to be placed on the end of the spindle which goes within the aXletree after the spindle has been inserted in the internal fitting and before the internal fitting is secured within the axletree.

It will be observed that various changes may be made in the details of construction said sleeve and collar to hold the reversible spindle in position,substantially as described.

2. In combination with a hollow axletree having exterior screw-threaded ends, a sleeve threaded on said ends and having an exterior screw-threaded collar 4, a hollow fitting arranged within the ends of the axletree, a setscrew passing through said sleeve and axle and impinging upon the hollow fitting to hold the latter in position, a reversible spindle composed of two tapering members formed integral and separated by a centrally-arranged collar 9, said members having reduced screw-threaded ends to receive securing-nuts, and a securing-nut 5, engaging the collar 4 and abutting against the collar 9 to hold the reversible spindle in position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aftix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HERMAN L. iuAnDoX.

IVitnesses:

LOUIS Rosa,

H. O. HUDSON. 

